Battle of the Bands Competition

On 3rd March Helen Martin Productions is hosting a battle of the bands (for grown-ups) at Watermans Arts Centre (40 High Street Brentford, TW8 0DS, 020 8232 1010), in the theatre. There's still room for three more bands to enter - there are fantastic prizes, including 6 hours studio time with engineer/producer Steve Parry of Dazzlesound Productions and an interview with Mudkiss online fanzine.

All genres are welcome and the music must be artists'/bands' own work. The closing date for entrance into the competition is Friday 24th February. Contact Helen Martin through her website for an entry form, or go to the Waterman's website, here.

Meet Helen Martin

Met with Helen Martin of Helen Martin Productions today. Helen's a promoter from down Brentford way. Adam Donovan of the Jetsonics, passed on her details to me.

Chose a lovely day for it, too, we did. I even took my DMs and socks off half way through the day, and put the old sandals back on, which was liberating.

We sat on the South Bank outside the National Theatre, shared our stories, and compared notes on promoting on the local live music scene. Helen gave up a proper job in probation not so long ago to focus on promoting.  (Is she mad? - Ed). She is well connected. And has a more business-like approach to promoting than me, which isn't hard, I know.

She recently organised a charity gig with local musician Nick Lowe (Who? - Ed), on the bill. Her husband plays in a number of bands, including the Bitter Springs, and had some success back in the day as a professional musician. This seems to be a key motivator in her new enterprise.

She has some connection with a few old punk bands, which I hope will result in a co-presented gig at some point. So watch this space.